17 Young and Powerful Celebs Taking Over The World

The young starlets who are changing Hollywood.

Selena is owning her place in the world. Her first solo album, Stars Dance, hit number one on the Billboard 200, and she's packing the house at major venues on her tour. She's such a fashion icon that she's designing clothing lines for Kmart and Adidas. She heads a movie production company and is an investor in a cool app start-up. Between Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, she has 77 million followers. And she's using her star power to help children around the world succeed—and often, just survive—as UnIceF's youngest-ever goodwill ambassador.

On feeling powerful: "This year is when I really started feeling powerful. I had always been the underdog secretly. I was on Disney when it was Miley [Cyrus], the Jonas Brothers, and Demi [Lovato]. I questioned the way I looked, acted, sang, and wrote. Then I turned 20, went through a really bad breakup, and realized I needed to have 'Come & Get It' be amazing. I wanted it all to be me. I'm glad it's taken me this long to get where I am because now I am ready for it."

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The Cool Chick: Demi Lovato

Demi, 21, had a No. 1 song, judged The X Factor, and scored a best- selling book! But it's her support of girls suffering from self-harm and addiction that puts Demi so high on our list.

When do you feel badass? "When I'm being influential to people who really need some guidance. I could keep my self-harm and addiction issues private, or I could use them to help other people. I chose the latter, and it's been the best decision of my life."

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The Rebel: Miley Cyrus

Twerk it, girl! From her jaw-dropping VMA performance to her super-emo hit single, "Wrecking Ball," Miley, 21, proved that doing things on your own terms is the best way to live.

"I want to make my own path."

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The Philanthropist: Victoria Justice

Victoria, 21, is making serious noise to protect girls' rights around the world. She traveled to Guatemala with the UN Foundation's Girl Up organization and blogged about sexual violence, girls' lack of access to education, and inequality with boys in their communities—raising awareness and funds to help girls succeed!

"I'm in a position where I can make a difference and that's a powerful thing."

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The Bodyguard: Chloe Grace Moretz

Sure, she's an in-demand Hollywood actress, but what's really powerful is how Chloë, 17, speaks out about the bullying her gay brothers have experienced and how no one should have to go through that—now that's kick-ass!

"I have two gay brothers and two straight brothers, and my gay brothers were treated horrifically until they grew up and understood how to deal with it. I will delete you and I will block you, and you will not be a part of my life if you ever say anything bad about my brothers."

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The Model On A Mission: Karlie Kloss

She owned the Victoria's Secret fashion show runway and NYC. (Her billboard wraps around the biggest VS store in the world!) But Karlie, 21, is really proud that her Karlie's Kookies business supports FEED (more than 260,00 meals given to hungry kids!).

On being powerful: "For me, being powerful is way more than this career built on physical beauty."

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The Champion: Gabby Douglas

Her Olympic win was two years ago, but Gabby, 18, hasn't powered down! She had her second best-selling book and was tireless in her work for Right to Play, which uses sports to help empower kids from disadvantaged communities.

"Every time I had a bad competition or set back, I would just be even more motivated to go into the gym and work extra hard."

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The Activist: Ashley Rickards

Talk about selfless! Ashley, 21, is so committed to ending hunger and homelessness that she ate just a bowl and a half of rice and drank only water each day for a week as part of the Live Below the Line Campaign to bring attention to the pain of poverty.

"I don't believe in failure."

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The Badass: Lorde

Lorde, 17, earned music-royalty status this year when she channeled her opinionated voice into a self- written single that ruled the charts!

"The power and control is with young people now."

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The Free Spirit: Cara Delevingne

Her unique beauty (those eyebrows!) is in demand, from Chanel to Stella McCartney. Pair that with her IDGAF attitude and Cara, 21, is one of today's biggest and most relatable models!

"I'm aiming for an Oscar, a Grammy, and a Nobel Peace Prize. And maybe Prime Minister."

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The Social Superstar: Ariana Grande

The 20-year-old spends hours chatting with her 35 million social media followers—no surprise that all those fans have carried her album to a number one debut and made her show, Sam & Cat, a huge hit!

"I'm proud of my accomplishments as an artist, but I'm most proud of myself as a daughter, a granddaughter, sister, and a friend."

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The Triple Threat: Zendaya Coleman

Youngest DWTS contestant ever? Check. (She's 17!) Hit single on debut album? Check. Starring role on her own new Disney show? Check. This power girl literally does. It. All.

"I have set huge goals for myself, like winning awards and breaking records, but the most important is making an impact on humanity."

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The Cover Girl: Kate Upton

Kate's major curves have graced the covers of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue, Vogue, and Elle—proving that loving your body, not shrinking it, is seriously powerful.

"If I can help and influence girls who are going through body-image issues, then I think that's amazing."

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The Brave One: Ariel Winter

We've watched Ariel, 16, grow up on TV's most lovable (and successful!) Modern Family. IRL last year, she handled herself with major maturity in the face of family drama.

"I love that girls can be powerful and beautiful and smart. Intelligence Is the most beautiful thing you have."

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The Veteran: Abigail Breslin

She's been acting since age 3 and scored an Oscar nom at 10, but at 17, Abigail is just getting started sharing her true self with the world—see her recent outspoken tweets about everything from boys to fashion!

"It's about staying on the path that you want to go down and not just conforming to what people think you should be like or should be doing."

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The Voice: Carly Rose Sonenclar

Even as her first single, "Fighters," blows up, she has a passion for helping seriously ill kids! Carly, 14, channels her X Factor attention into fund-raising shows for The Starlight Children's Foundation.

"When you're doing something that you really feel confident about and excited about, that's when you feel the most powerful."

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Andrew McLeod

This actress-singer, 21, is a workhorse! From starring on Good Luck Charlie to dropping hit songs, Bridgit doesn't rest when she gets a taste of success. With her star just beginning to rise, she's earning power in the world by making her own luck!

"I appreciate having gone through that process [of auditioning and getting rejected], because it makes you want what you want that much more and get better at what you do."

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